GHS grad talks about work with Rhinos | Jan 25

Meet an amazing GHS graduate doing research in wildlife management!

 

[Attachment(s) from Cordulack, Jeffrey included below]

Audubon Greenwich proudly presents …

The Plight of the Rhino in Africa

A special presentation by Axel Hunnicutt, a Greenwich native currently conducting postgraduate research on Rhinos at the Centre for Wildlife Management, University of Pretoria, South Africa.

 

January 25, 2014 from 3:00-4:00 pm at Audubon Greenwich

 

The rhinoceros is one of the world's most iconic creatures. However, now the feature that makes this animal so distinct is the cause of its demise.   In 2013 more rhinos were poached for their horns than any other year prior in the last century.  This talk will discuss the current situation of the 5 remaining species of rhino in the world, the reasons for the poaching situation, and what is being done and possible solutions to preserving the rhino. 

 

Axel Hunnicutt is a Greenwich native who grew up in Glenville, graduated Greenwich High School in 2008, is an Eagle Scout, and has volunteered at the Round Hill Volunteer Fire Company for many years. He has studied wildlife biology at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, graduated from the UCONN with a Bachelor of Science in ecology and evolutionary biology, and in 2012 went to work studying grizzly bears in southern Canada. More recently, he earned a Bachelor's of Science Honours Degree in Wildlife Management at the University of Pretoria in South Africa  and has been studying the Suni, an endangered antelope and the spotted hyena.

 

When asked about rhino conservation, Axel said, "While working in government and privately-owned protected reservations, I have witnessed the atrocious and gruesome work of poachers. Of the many species under pressure these days, the situation facing rhinos is worse than ever before." Since 2006 illegal poaching of Africa's rhinos for their horns has increased exponentially and now rhino populations are seriously threatened.  In the last 6 years poaching has increased by 5000% and continues to climb as horns used in Asian traditional medicine are now worth more than gold. The illegal and inhumane slaughter of rhinos across Africa has been called the worst conservation crisis of the century.

 

While the majority of rhino species in Asia are at the brink extinct, Africa's two rhino species linger at a crossroads. Over the last century the range of the two African rhino species has been dwindled to fewer and fewer countries.  Today South Africa remains the rhino's stronghold containing 90% of all rhinos in Africa and 73% of the world's rhino.  As a result South Africa has become a battleground for the last stand of the rhino with international organizations, governments, and military forces becoming involved. For additional information about rhino conservation, Mr. Hunnicutt suggests:

• www.stoprhinopoaching.com
• www.projectrhinokzn.org
• www.wwf.org.za/what_we_do/rhino_programme

 

All ages. Suggested Donation: $5. Please RSVP to greenwichcenter@audubon.org or leave a voicemail with the number of people at 203-869-5272 x239.  The presentation is in Audubon Greenwich's Kiernan Hall & Oppenheimer Gallery. 613 Riversville Road, Greenwich, CT 06831.

 

NATURE STORE BONUS: All guests receive 10% off in Audubon Greenwich's Nature Store before or after the program. So stop in the store for a new bird feeder, local honey, bird-friendly coffee, or a guide to trails in the Greenwich and surrounding area. Discount applies to regularly priced items and excludes seed or other items that are deemed un-discountable by the store manager.

 

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Audubon Greenwich

613 RIversville Road

Greenwich, CT 06831

http://greenwich.audubon.org

 

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Attachment(s) from Cordulack, Jeffrey

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